The UFC has confirmed a bantamweight bout between former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo and rising contender Montel Jackson for UFC Combat Night time 261 on October 11 at Farmasi Area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson
“God of Struggle” Figueiredo enters the bout ranked fifth within the bantamweight standings after establishing himself as a professional title contender since transferring up from flyweight in December 2023. In the meantime, Jackson carries momentum from a six-fight successful streak that has positioned him on the perimeter of bantamweight rankings.
Figueiredo’s Bantamweight Success
After shedding the flyweight championship to Brandon Moreno at UFC 283 in January 2023, Figueiredo made the strategic determination to maneuver up in weight. The transition proved helpful because the Brazilian has compiled a 4-1 report at bantamweight, showcasing improved well being and efficiency with out the grueling minimize to 125 kilos.
Deiveson Figueiredo’s bantamweight debut got here towards Rob Font at UFC Combat Night time in December 2023, the place he secured a unanimous determination victory. He adopted that efficiency with a submission win over former champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC 300 in April 2024. His third consecutive victory got here towards Marlon Vera at UFC Abu Dhabi, the place he turned the primary fighter to knock down the sturdy Ecuadorian within the UFC.
The one blemish on Figueiredo’s bantamweight report got here towards Petr Yan in November 2024, the place he suffered a unanimous determination loss at UFC Combat Night time 248. Nonetheless, his latest setback towards Cory Sandhagen at UFC Des Moines in Could 2025 ended as a consequence of a knee damage within the second spherical, with the Brazilian revealing he had fought via a number of illnesses together with a jaw displacement and contaminated leg minimize.
Jackson’s Rising Trajectory
Jackson enters the Rio bout with appreciable momentum, having received six consecutive fights since his 2020 loss to Brett Johns. The 33-year-old from Milwaukee has demonstrated knockout energy all through his streak, together with a devastating 18-second end of Da’Mon Blackshear at UFC Denver in July 2024 that earned him a Efficiency of the Night time bonus.
The knockout marked the second-fastest end in UFC bantamweight historical past, coming only one second shy of breaking Erik Perez’s report. Jackson’s most up-to-date victory got here towards Daniel Marcos at UFC Des Moines in Could 2025, the place he secured a unanimous determination to increase his successful streak.
UFC Rio de Janeiro
The October 11 card marks the UFC’s thirteenth go to to Rio de Janeiro and first Combat Night time occasion within the metropolis since Could 2015. Former light-weight champion Charles Oliveira headlines towards Rafael Fiziev, whereas different confirmed bouts embrace Vicente Luque versus Santiago Ponzinibbio and heavyweight prospect Jhonata Diniz going through Mario Pinto.
For Figueiredo, competing in Brazil supplies extra motivation as he seeks to rebound from his injury-plagued efficiency towards Sandhagen. The previous flyweight king goals to regain his place as a bantamweight title contender whereas preventing in entrance of his dwelling crowd.
Jackson views the bout as his alternative to interrupt into the rankings and safe higher-profile matchups. A victory over a former champion like Figueiredo would validate his six-fight successful streak and doubtlessly place him for fights towards established contenders within the talent-rich bantamweight division.
